Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister has mentioned increased investment in UHL but as it currently stands, we still need the revenue to provide the first 96-bed block and the capital and revenue for the second 96-bed block to be progressed as a matter of urgency. The Minister could be building capacity at Ennis but instead the surgical hub is located at an old school in Limerick city. The HSE has told me in replies to a parliamentary question recently that there is no intention to expand stroke, cancer or coronary care in Ennis. Why not? Ennis is a fantastic facility and we should be expanding capacity there. We should also be expanding the services that are already on site. Last year, the House passed a motion to have 24-hour MAUs and injury units. Before Christmas, the CEO of the HSE told me that this is not currently possible because of recruitment and retention issues. I accept that but what I do not understand is why we cannot roll out 24-hour services in MAUs and injury units in Ennis, Nenagh and St. John's in the short term, until the Minister for Health of the day sees the writing on the wall and reinstates Ennis accident and emergency department. We are the only CHO served by a single model 4 hospital. This is a teaching hospital and is not backed up by a model 3 hospital. We could reduce the number of people on trolleys in UHL by half.

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